“Let us not become weary in doing good. For at the proper time
we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
– Galatians 6:9
We’ve spent this past month investing our time in one particular church and the surrounding community. We were in the town of Moshi, at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Our daily routine throughout the week involved leading Bible studies and prayer services, and on Sunday mornings we were sharing music and giving the message. And in between all of those activities, we were traveling throughout the community, encouraging believers in their own homes. We often went to the same homes many times and got to build relationships with a number of people. Along the way, I got to spend quite a bit of time with two people in particular. One was a 3-year old girl named Farajah, and the other was a 12-year old boy named Allan.
Both of these kids captured my heart and I had many opportunities to be a positive influence in their lives. The little girl was quite the troublemaker in our town, despite her age and size. She always seemed to be getting herself into some sort of mischief. But I got a chance to spend time with her every few days or so and teach her a thing or two. And Allan, though not yet a teenager, was an incredibly smart young man. He always dazzled us with his knowledge, he spoke English very well, and was clearly motivated with his school work. He has dreams of becoming a pastor one day. Before we left at the end of the month, Allan told me that he didn’t have a father at home and that times were tough for his family. So, I had the chance to tell him my story and how God has provided in my life and was by my side in a similar situation as well. I encouraged him to follow through with his dreams and trust God in all circumstances. In addition, I told him to remain committed to his family and his church and that they would be a help and support to him along the way.
I’ve noticed that throughout my day, wherever I am, I find myself craving the chance to do big, extravagant things for the Kingdom of God. I want to plant a new church, lead a big revival, or bring a whole refugee camp to the Lord. I know we all have bold and audacious dreams, and that’s good. Yet I often forget that if I want to change the world, it usually happens one life a time, or one conversation at a time. The work of the Lord is done little by little, with a big dose of our time and a big dose our faithfulness. We must be patient and committed, willing to reach out to one person if we want to make an impact on many.
I’ve just recently arrived in Malawi and I’m ready to complete my final month! Time has indeed flown by, but I pray that my team’s work around the world and the lessons we’ve learned will last into eternity. I look forward to seeing you all very soon. Thanks again for your faithful prayers. You’ve all been so encouraging and supportive of me throughout my journey. This work for the Kingdom would not be possible without you!
For His Renown,
Dan Lidwin
